Video-on-demand system

ABSTRACT

A video-on-demand system including a video server storing video-on-demand content and for streaming video-on-demand through a first layer of an internet page having a first layer and a second layer; and a controller for causing there to be formed in the second layer a plurality of selectable overlay images such that a user at a location in communication with the internet remote from the video server and the controller can display streamed video-on-demand of the first layer in combination with the overlay images of the second layer and can select one of the overlay images; wherein the overlay images correspond to respective control functions for the video-on-demand stream; and the controller is responsive to selection of an overlay image to change the video-on-demand stream in accordance with the corresponding respective control function.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/451,538 filed Aug. 5, 2014, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 12/303,663 filed Oct. 4, 2010, the entire contentsof each of which are incorporated herein by reference. U.S. applicationSer. No. 12/303,663 is a National Phase of PCT/EP2007/005014 filed Jun.6, 2007, and claims priority to European Application No. 06252937.5filed Jun. 7, 2006.

The present invention relates to a video-on-demand system and methodsrelating to it.

For some time, there has been a recognition of the desire to be able toprovide to a large number of remote users the choice of receiving any ofa large number of video programmes as and when desired. Withimprovements in compression and increased availability oflarge-bandwidth communications networks, such systems have become morepractical.

Near video-on-demand systems have been available in which each videoprogramme is repeatedly broadcast throughout the day at a number ofclosely spaced times, thereby allowing users to watch those programmesat almost any time. It is also known to make available over the internetvideo programmes for streaming or download to personal computersconnected to the internet. Generally, these systems can be cumbersome tooperate and can have limited functionality. The steps required for auser to make a connection or to arrange a subscription with a serviceprovider may be inconvenient.

It is an object of the present invention to provide improved featuresfor a video-on-demand system.

The present application also recognises for the first time thepossibility and advantages of using a simple optical disk player as ameans for accessing a video-on-demand system without the need of ahard-drive memory. It also recognises for the first time the possibilityof providing personal recommendations of video-on-demand programmesbased on profiles stored centrally and remotely from user terminals.Furthermore, it recognises for the first time the possibility ofproviding video-on-demand in pages having a layered structure andallowing functional and advertising overlays to be provided in layersother than that in which the video streaming occurs.

According to the present invention there is provided a method ofoperating an optical disk player as a video-on-demand player without theneed of a hard-drive memory, the optical disk player having an opticaldisk reader, a processor, a RAM and a port allowing connection to theinternet, the method including:

providing a unique identifier on an optical disk;

providing code components on the optical disk which can be run directlyfrom the optical disk on only the processor and RAM of the optical diskplayer so as to cause the optical disk player to send the uniqueidentifier over the internet to a video streaming service, to operate asa web browser for accessing pages of the video streaming service overthe internet and to operate as a video decoder for decoding streamedvideo data received from pages of the video streaming service whereinthe video streaming service can monitor use by a user with reference tothe unique identifier.

According to the present invention, there is also provided an opticaldisk for operating an optical disk player as a video-on-demand playerwithout the need of a hard-drive memory, the optical disk player havingan optical disk reader, a processor, a RAM and a port allowingconnection to the internet, the optical disk having recorded thereon:

a unique identifier; and

code components which can be run directly from the optical disk on onlythe processor and RAM of the optical disk player so as to cause theoptical disk player to send the unique identifier over the internet to avideo streaming service, to operate as a web browser for accessing pagesof the video streaming service over the internet and to operate as avideo decoder for decoding streamed video data received from pages ofthe video streaming service wherein the unique identifier allows thevideo streaming service to monitor use by a user with reference to theunique identifier.

In this way, there may be provided a video-on-demand system includingsuch an optical disk and also at least one optical disk player for usein combination with the optical disk as a video-on-demand player, theoptical disk player including an optical disk reader, a processor, a RAMand a port allowing connection to the internet; and

a video streaming service remote from the optical disk player includingat least one server for providing, as pages available over the internet,streams of video data.

In this way, it is not necessary for terminal devices to have hard-drivememories in order to access the video-on-demand service. Flexibility isallowed for a user in choosing which devices are used to connect to avideo-on-demand service. Devices without hard disks can be produced morecheaply. Also, there is a general reluctance by consumers to havePC-based systems placed in proximity to large display screens in livingrooms due to the sometimes intrusive sound made by fans to cool thecircuitry of the PC.

Optical disks can be sold including the browser and video decoderrequired for the terminal, in the form of an optical disk player, tohave access to the video-on-demand service. Furthermore, by providingthe unique identifier, the video streaming service is able to identifyand/or authenticate the disk so as to establish that it corresponds to agenuine user. It is only necessary for a user to purchase an appropriatedisk for that user to be given easy and immediate access to the videostreaming service. Furthermore, by way of the unique identifier, thevideo streaming service can maintain a profile history related to thatunique identifier and provide personal recommendations to a user of thatunique identifier. Furthermore, it is possible to maintain anonymity ofthe user with regard to the profile history, since it need only be keptin conjunction with the unique identifier itself.

Preferably, the video streaming service includes a controller responsiveto a request from the optical disk player to provide selective access toa plurality of video-on-demand programmes and stream a selected one ofthe plurality of video-on-demand programmes through an internet page.

Hence, receipt of a streamed video-on-demand programmes is possiblemerely using the browser and video decoder of the disk in the opticaldisk player.

Preferably, the controller is arranged to provide through an internetpage a menu of available video-on-demand programmes.

Thus, again, a user is able to view and select from a plurality ofvideo-on-demand programmes by means only of the code components providedon the optical disk and any menu information provided over the internet.

Preferably, the video-on-demand system further includes a profile memoryremote from the optical disk player in which records of thevideo-on-demand programmes selected by the user of the optical diskplayer are stored; and

a matcher remote from the optical disk player for comparing the contentsof video-on-demand programmes recorded in the profile memory with thecontents of video-on-demand programmes available for streaming by thevideo streaming service and for outputting recommendations ofvideo-on-demand programmes having contents similar to thevideo-on-demand programmes recorded in the profile memory.

In this way, profile histories for a plurality of different users havingrespective unique identifiers can be stored centrally and remote fromthe respective optical disk players. A separate matcher can be providedfor analysing the content of the video-on-demand programmes noted in theprofile for a particular unique identifier and for comparing this withthe contents of the video-on-demand programmes available for streaming.By providing the profile memories remote from the optical disk playersand available to the matcher, the matcher having access to thevideo-on-demand programmes available for streaming, detailed andaccurate comparison can be conducted so as to provide good and usefulrecommendations to the users having respective unique identifiers.

Preferably, the controller is arranged to display on said menu detailsof video-on-demand programmes recommended by said recommender.

In this way, a user can effectively be provided with an indication ofvideo-on-demand programmes that are likely to be of interest to him orher. Since this recommendation need not be based on any current choiceof video-on-demand programme and is a personal recommendation ratherthan a contextual recommendation, the recommendation can be displayedeven when the user is only viewing the general menu with the full choiceof available video-on-demand programmes.

Preferably, the records of the video-on-demand programmes selected bythe user are stored in conjunction with the unique identifier of thedisk used by the user.

In this way, as discussed above, individual profile histories can bematched to users by means of the unique identifiers.

Preferably, the video-on-demand system further includes an accountmemory remote from the optical disk player for recording accountinformation in conjunction with the unique identifier of the disk usedby the user.

This allows the video-on-demand system to keep a record of the financialrelationship with individual respective users, for instance by means ofnotional tokens, which can be assigned in varying amounts to thestreaming of various video-on-demand programmes.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a method ofproviding a user with selective access to a plurality of video-on-demandprogrammes having respective contents, the method including:

according to selection by the user, streaming one of the plurality ofvideo-on-demand programmes through an internet page including a firstlayer and a second layer;

providing the video-on-demand stream in the first layer;

providing an overlay image in the second layer which can be selectivelycombined with the video-on-demand of the first layer;

providing a link in association with the overlay image, selection of thelink causing advertising content to be provided to the user;

monitoring selection by the user with regard to content of selectedvideo-on-demand programmes;

judging content of video-on-demand programmes selected by the user; and

choosing one of a plurality of overlay images and associated links forprovision in the second layer according to the step of judging.

According to the present invention, there is also provided avideo-on-demand system accessible over the internet, the systemincluding:

a video server storing a plurality of video-on-demand programmes havingrespective contents;

a controller responsive to a request from a user to provide selectiveaccess to the plurality of video-on-demand programmes and to stream aselected one of the plurality of video-on-demand programmes through aninternet page including a first layer and a second layer wherein thecontroller is arranged:

to stream the selected video-on-demand programmes in the first layer;

to provide, in the second layer, an overlay image which can beselectively combined with the video-on-demand of the first layer;

to provide a link in association with the overlay image, selection ofthe link causing advertising content to be provided to the user;

to monitor selection by the user with regard to content of selectedvideo-on-demand programmes; and

to judge the content of video-on-demand programmes selected by the user;wherein

the system further comprises a memory storing a plurality of overlayimages, together with respective links and advertising content, and

the controller is arranged to select one of the plurality of overlayimages and associated links for provision in the second layer accordingto the judgement of the content of video-on-demand programme selected bythe user.

In this way, advertising content can be provided to a user in a way thatis tailored to an individual respective user. According to judgement ofthe video-on-demand programmes watched by a user, the controller canjudge appropriate advertising content. This can be made available to theuser merely by providing the associated overlay images and links in thesecond layer of the page being accessed by the user. There is no need atthe video server and controller end to adapt the stream of video dataprovided in the first layer, since the personalised advertising contentis made accessible to the user by a second layer, even though this iswithin the same page. This aspect of the invention is independent of theaspect above relating to a user not needing a hard-drive and isapplicable to arrangements where a hard-drive is used as well as tothose where a hard-drive is not used.

The controller can be arranged to select said one of the overlay imagesfor the second layer based at least partly on the content of thevideo-on-demand being at that time streamed to the first layer.

In this way, advertising content can be chosen for a user on the basisof a contextual recommendation. In other words, the system willrecommend and provide advertising content that relates to thevideo-on-demand programme being streamed at the same time as the overlayimages for the advertising content are to be displayed.

It is also possible to provide overlay images that are based on personalrecommendation. In this respect, the video-on-demand system can furtherinclude a profile memory in which records of the video-on-demandprogrammes selected by the user are stored;

a matcher for comparing the contents of video-on-demand programmesrecorded in the profile memory with the advertising contents associatedwith respective overlay images and outputting a recommendation of anoverlay image for display;

wherein, the controller is arranged to select said one of the overlayimages for the second layer based at least partly on the recommendationfrom the matcher.

Thus, irrespective of the video-on-demand programme being watched at thetime, the system is able to choose advertising content that is likely tobe of interest to the user based on the history profile for that user.

The link provided by the video-on-demand system can be the address of adifferent internet page, the controller providing the advertisingcontent in that different internet page.

Alternatively, selection of the link can cause the controller to providethe advertising content in the second layer. In this case, it ispossible for the video-on-demand programme to be continued to bestreamed. Of course, where the system takes a user to advertisingcontent of a different internet page, it is also possible for the systemto remember, for instance by means of a timestamp, the position to whichthe user had progressed in the video-on-demand programme and, hence,after viewing the advertising content, return to the video-on-demandprogramme at the right place.

Preferably, the controller is responsive to selection by the user tocause display of only the first layer or the first layer in combinationwith the second layer.

In this way, the user is able to view a streamed video-on-demandprogramme with or without the overlay images of possible advertisingcontent. In one embodiment, it is possible to provide the user with theoption of being charged less, for instance in notional tokens, forwatching a video-on-demand programme with the overlay images of thesecond layer on display.

According to the present invention, there is also provided a method oftransmitting video-on-demand including:

streaming, from a server on the internet, video-on-demand through aninternet page including a first layer and a second layer;

providing the video-on-demand stream in the first layer;

providing, in the second layer, for selective combination with thevideo-on-demand of the first layer, a plurality of overlay imagescorresponding to respective control functions of the video-on-demandstream;

enabling a user at a remote location on the internet to selectrespective overlay images when the plurality of overlay images aredisplayed in combination with the video-on-demand at the remotelocation, and

responding at the server to selection of an overlay image at the remotelocation so as to change the video-on-demand stream in accordance withthe corresponding respective control function.

According to the present invention, there is also provided avideo-on-demand system accessible over the internet, the systemincluding:

a video server storing video-on-demand content and for streamingvideo-on-demand through a first layer of an internet page having a firstlayer and a second layer; and

a controller for causing there to be formed in the second layer aplurality of selectable overlay images such that a user at a location onthe internet remote from the video server and the controller can displaystreamed video-on-demand of the first layer in combination with theoverlay images of the second layer and can select one of the overlayimages; wherein

the overlay images correspond to respective control functions for thevideo-on-demand stream; and

the controller is responsive to selection of an overlay image to changethe video-on-demand stream in accordance with the correspondingrespective control function.

This provides an effective way of allowing control functions for thevideo-on-demand stream to be made available to the user without the userneeding a hard-drive memory or any sophisticated processing. However,this aspect of the invention is independent of the aspects aboverelating to a user not needing a hard-drive and is applicable toarrangements where a hard-drive is used. The user always receivesnothing more than appropriately streamed video data even though thesystem gives the appearance and feel that functions are occurring at theuser end. When a particular overlay image and function is selected atthe user end, it is the controller at the video-server end that respondsby changing the streamed video data accordingly. With the overlay imagesalready present, but in the second layer of the page, the user terminalneed only switch between displaying and not displaying the second layerso as to give the user the feel of enabling or disabling the respectivefunctions. Furthermore, changing the display in this way need not changehow the controller streams the video-on-demand.

It is possible that the controller is arranged to provide the overlayimages in the internet page in a form for storage by the user in a cacheand to control display of the overlay images in combination with thevideo-on-demand stream.

This allows greater efficiency in use of bandwidth.

Preferably, the controller is arranged to provide alternative overlayimages for storage simultaneously in the cache with the overlay imagessuch that, when an overlay image is selected, the controller causesdisplay of the selected overlay image to be replaced by display of thecorresponding alternative overlay image.

In this way, the alternative overlay images can be used as feedback tothe user and to provide highlighting of overlay images to enable theuser to understand which corresponding function is to be selected. Withthe overlay images and alternative overlay images being stored in cachelocally at the user end, scrolling through the various overlay imagescan be achieved without communication with the controller and with theresulting benefits of avoiding unnecessary use of bandwidth.

It will be appreciated that a similar arrangement is possible with theoverlay images discussed above for advertising content.

Preferably, the controller is responsive to selection by the user tocause display of only the first layer or the first layer in combinationwith the second layer.

In this way, a user is able to view only the video-on-demand programmesby means of the first layer and, when desired, can cause the secondlayer to be displayed in combination with the first layer, therebyallowing access to the various control functions.

Preferably, the controller is arranged to cause the plurality of overlayimages to be displayed together as a function bar. The plurality ofoverlay images can include one or more respective overlay imagescorresponding to functions of stopping, playing, pausing, rewinding andfast forwarding the video-on-demand stream appearing in the first layer.

Preferably, the video server stores a plurality of video-on-demandprogrammes having respective contents;

the controller is responsive to a request from the user to provideselective access to the plurality of video-on-demand programmes;

the controller is arranged to judge the content of the video-on-demandprogramme selected by the user;

for at least one control function, there are a plurality of differentoverlay images relating to different types of video-on-demand content;and

the controller is arranged to select an appropriate one of the pluralityof different overlay images for provision in the second layer accordingto the judgement of the content of the video-on-demand programmeselected by the user.

In this way, it is possible to provide overlay images that have anappearance relevant to the content of the video-on-demand programmebeing streamed in the first layer.

The invention will be more clearly understood from the followingdescription, given by way of example only, with reference to theaccompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates schematically an overall system embodying the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 illustrates one of the terminals of FIG. 1 embodying the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 illustrates schematically a disk for use in the presentinvention;

FIG. 4 illustrates schematically a main menu to be presented to the userin an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a video-on-demand programme menu for presentation toa user according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 illustrates schematically a page of video streaming providedaccording to the present invention;

FIG. 7 illustrates schematically functional overlay images for use withthe present invention;

FIG. 8 illustrates schematically advertising-content overlay images foruse with the present invention; and

FIG. 9 illustrates schematically a video streaming server for use withthe present invention.

The present application relates to video streaming over a network suchas is illustrated in FIG. 1.

A video streaming service 2 is configured for connection to the internet4. A plurality of users are provided with respective terminals 6, eachof which is also configured for connection to the internet 4. It will beappreciated that, while the video streaming service 2 and terminals 6are configured for connection to the internet 4, it is also possible forthem to be connected to other networks allowing video data to bestreamed from the video streaming service 2 over the network toindividual terminals 6.

According to one important aspect of the present invention, in order toenable a terminal 6 to be used as a video-on-demand player, eachrespective user is provided with a disk 8 which, when loaded in theterminal 6, allows that terminal to operate as a video-on-demand player.It will be appreciated that the terminals 6 are also provided withdisplay monitors of any form suitable for displaying receivedvideo-on-demand programmes.

FIG. 2 illustrates schematically a typical terminal 6 suitable for usein the arrangement of FIG. 1.

An optical disk player is provided with an optical disk drive or opticaldisk receiver 12. The optical disk player includes a processor 14 whichis capable of reading information from the optical disk receiver 12,carrying out various functions on the basis of data from the opticaldisk receiver 12 and displaying any images on a monitor 16. A userinterface 18 may be connected to the optical disk player 10 in order toallow a user to control the optical disk player 10.

As illustrated, the optical disk player 10 may also be provided with aRandom Access Memory (RAM) 20. This is merely for use in a well-knownmanner for enabling the processor to conduct any processes as requiredfor correct functioning of the optical disk player 10. Importantly, inconsideration of the present invention, it is not necessary for theoptical disk player 10 to have any hard-drive memory. An optical disk 30is inserted into the optical reader 12 of the optical disk player 10 bya user and the processor 14 is able to carry out any required processes,for instance as instructed by the user interface 18, directly from datarecorded on the optical disk 30 without the need first to transfer largesections of data or indeed complete executable programs to a hard-drivememory.

A typical optical disk player suited for the functioning of the opticaldisk player 10 would be a gaming console, for instance consoles fromSony's PlayStation (trade mark) series. Consoles or other devices havingin-built or interconnected hard disk devices or other mass storagememory devices (such as semi-conductor memory) are not precluded fromuse within the system of the present invention.

As illustrated, the optical disk player 10 is also provided with a port22 allowing connection to the internet. In some embodiments, the portitself may include the necessary interfaces for connection directly to atelecommunications line providing internet access. However, in theillustrated embodiment, the port 22 connects to an internet adaptor 24.The internet adaptor 24 contains all necessary interfaces and can beconnected to a telecommunications line providing internet connectivity.

FIG. 3 illustrates schematically an optical disk for use with theoptical disk player of FIG. 2.

The optical disk 30 includes, as part of its structure, code componentsconstituting a video decoder 32 and also code components constituting aweb browser 34. Importantly, both the video decoder and the browser areexecutable directly from the disk 30 and, unlike prior-art disks, do notcome with installation routines for causing their installation onto thehard-drive memory of the machine in which they are loaded. The videodecoder 32 is of any suitable form for decoding streamed video data asreceived from the video streaming service 2. This includes MPEG2 orMPEG4 decoders or decoders of any other suitable standard whetherproprietary or not. The web browser 34 can be a generally conventionalweb browser, but is stored in conjunction with the address or URL of themain portal (like a home page) of the video streaming service 2. Morepreferably, the browser is accompanied by or includes some customfeatures which, as will be described below, allow identification and/orauthentication of the optical disk 30 and its user.

In practice, a user purchases an optical disk 30 for use with his or heroptical disk player 10. Where the optical disk player 10 is a gamesconsole, the optical disk 30 can be sold alongside other optical diskswhich enable the optical disk player 10 to function as respective videogames, the games enabling user control from the user interface 18 anddisplay of images on the monitor 16.

Leaving aside the authentication steps to be discussed below, with theoptical disk 30 loaded in the optical reader 12 of the optical diskplayer 10, the processor 14 causes the browser 34 of the optical disk 30to run and operate. As mentioned above, the optical disk 30 includes theaddress or URL of the main portal or homepage on the internet to thevideo streaming service 2. Hence, the browser 34 immediately andautomatically causes the optical disk player 10 to access the mainportal of the video streaming service 2. From this point onwards, theoptical disk player 10 works as an internet browser, receiving imagedata from the video streaming service 2, for instance in the form ofHTML pages, with appropriate selection being made by the user using theuser interface 18. Selection and interaction with the video streamingservice 2 may take the form of selection of various regions of adisplayed page and, for instance using HTML, transfer of the browser toa different URL on the basis of a link provided in conjunction with thatregion of the image.

Where the optical disk player 10 takes the form of a games console, theuser interface 18 can be the associated games handset, possibly ofconventional form. In addition to up, down, left, right, enter/OK,functions may be assigned to other keys such as those represented by“X”, “O”, triangle or square on a PlayStation™ controller.

Using the user interface 18 and browser 34, a user can navigate to apart of the video streaming service 2 that streams a video-on-demandprogramme according to the choice of that user. The streamed video datawill be received by the optical disk player 10 as part of an internetpage. In a well-known manner, the browser 34 can then make use of thevideo decoder 32 to decode that video data stream and provideappropriate video images for output to the monitor 16. However, unlikeprior-art arrangements, the video decoder 32 is executed directly fromthe optical disk 30 and not from any hard-disk memory forming part ofthe optical disk player 10.

As mentioned above, the system can include anidentification/authentication process for the optical disk 30. In itsmost basic form, this process can merely identify the optical disk 30and allow the video streaming service 2 to keep a record ofvideo-on-demand programmes accessed by a user with the use of thatparticular optical disk 30. However, in conjunction with that operation,the video streaming service 2 can actually perform some form of check orauthentication to ensure that the optical disk 30 is a valid opticaldisk as endorsed by the video streaming service 2.

In one embodiment, when the optical disk 30 is loaded in the opticaldisk reader 12 of the optical disk player 10, the browser 34 takes theoptical disk player 10 to a page at which the video streaming service 2sends the optical disk player 10 data causing the optical disk player 10to display on the monitor 16 a request for entry of a unique identifier,for instance of the form of an alphanumeric sequence. Perhaps whenpurchasing the optical disk 30 or by contacting the video streamingservice 2, the user of the optical disk 30 has been provided with theunique identifier. By entering that unique identifier, such that it istransmitted to the video streaming service 2, the video streamingservice 2 can recognise the user and permit the browser 34 of theoptical disk player 10 to access other pages available from the videostreaming service 2.

In an alternative embodiment, as illustrated schematically in FIG. 3,the unique identifier 36 is provided as data on the optical disk 30itself. In this case, the browser 34 includes or is accompanied by somecustom code or routine such that, when it first connects with the mainportal or opening page provided by the video streaming service 2 and thevideo streaming service 2 requests notification of the uniqueidentifier, the custom code or routine automatically retrieves theunique identifier 36 present on the optical disk 30 and provides this tothe video streaming service 2. In this way, no user intervention isrequired and loading of the optical disk 30 in the optical disk player10 is sufficient for the user to gain access to the video streamingservice 2.

In some embodiments, different unique identifiers can be associated withdifferent levels of service to be provided by the video streamingservice 2. In other words, certain unique identifiers will allow accessto pages within the video streaming service 2 which other uniqueidentifiers will not.

In some embodiments, the video streaming service 2 may require the userto be using an authorised optical disk player 10. In this case, theinitial authentication process may additionally require the videostreaming service 2 to be provided with a unique device identifier ofthe optical disk player 10 itself. This could be entered manually by theuser using the user interface 18 or, again, the browser 34 may beaccompanied by a special custom code or routine which causes that deviceidentifier to be returned to the video streaming service 2 automaticallyupon request.

At this point, it is worth noting that a similar authentication processcould be used even to allow the optical disk 30 and optical disk player10 to be used with internet connectivity and before the browser 34 ofthe optical disk player 10 even connects with the main portal of thevideo streaming service 2.

FIG. 4 illustrates schematically a possible main menu to be provided bythe video streaming service 2 to the optical disk player 10 for displayon the monitor 16.

On the right of the page 40, there is displayed a list of possibleoptions. A user, using the user interface 18, is able to scroll throughand select these various options.

As illustrated, there is a linear live TV stream 42 available and alsoan electronic programme guide 44. In this regard, it is considered mostlikely that only a limited amount of linear live TV would be availableand the electronic programme guide would merely provide guidance to theuser as to what is available as linear live TV, for instance using someother TV receiver. However, as will be discussed further below, thevideo streaming service 2 is preferably able to analyse content ofprogrammes. In this regard, the electronic programme guide 44, ifselected, could provide contextual recommendations to the user ofsimilar programmes available as video-on-demand programmes or indeedindicate where that same programme is already available as avideo-on-demand programme.

The page 40 also lists a series of categories of video-on-demandprogrammes 46 to be discussed below.

By way of example, the page 40 illustrates a selectable option whichtakes the user to a section allowing the purchasing of goods, forinstance downloadable games in the case illustrated.

Finally, the service option 50 may be a customer service page enabling auser to get

Help

, find

FAQ

, contact Customer Support or purchase tokens.

On the left of the displayed page 40, in this preferred embodiment,personalised recommendations 52 of other video-on-demand programmes areshown. This will be discussed further below.

FIG. 5 illustrates, again schematically and by way of example, a pagewhere a user has selected a particular category of video-on-demand 46 asillustrated in the display page 40. This display page 60 includes on theright a list of video-on-demand programmes 62 through which a user mayscroll using the user interface 18. Each item of the list 62 couldinclude a very brief summary, perhaps only the title, together with arepresentative image. It might also include, as a contextualrecommendation, details or a link to another video-on-demand programmeof similar or related content.

On the left of the display page 60, there is displayed a control bar 64,which is active for the currently selected video-on-demand programme ofthe list 62. The control bar 64 includes a plurality of selectablefunctions through which the user may scroll using the user interface 18.Where there are too many functions to be displayed conveniently, thepage can be arranged to scroll through all of the available functionsand display only a limited number at any one time. The video-on-demandprogrammes listed as items of the list 62 can similarly be scrolledthrough with only a limited number being displayed at any one time.

As illustrated, the control bar 64 includes a symbol 66 for play of aselected video-on-demand programme and a symbol 68 linking the browser34 of the optical disk player 10 to another page providing additionalinformation about the selected video-on-demand programme. The controlbar 64 may also include information 70 relating to the cost to the userof receiving the currently highlighted video-on-demand programme. Thiswill be discussed further below, but as illustrated is represented as acost in notional tokens.

A similar display could be used as a page for providing shopping wherethe control bar includes a selectable function of purchasing a selecteditem in a list.

Moving from the display page 60 of FIG. 5, if a user selects the playfunction 66 for a video-on-demand programme, the browser 34 of theoptical disk player 10 is redirected to a page 80 as illustratedschematically in FIG. 6 within which the video data of the selectedvideo-on-demand programme is streamed. As mentioned above, the browser34 of the optical disk player 10 makes use of the decoder 32 and, hence,the requested video-on-demand programme is displayed on the monitor 16.

The internet page 80 may not be provided as only one layer, but can beprovided as two or more layers which are all received as part of thepage 80 by the optical disk player 10, but are displayed selectivelyaccording to a request from the user. For instance, a predeterminedbutton on the user interface 18 may be pre-assigned to make thisselection.

FIG. 7 illustrates an example where a second layer containing aplurality of overlay images 82 arranged as a function bar 84 aredisplayed in conjunction with the first layer carrying thevideo-on-demand programme. As illustrated, respective overlay images 82are provided for rewind, fast-forward, play, pause and stop functions.Using the user interface 18, a user may scroll through the variousoverlay images and select one of the images and its correspondingfunction. The video streaming service 2 is responsive to this selectionin the second layer of the page 80 to carry out the required function.In other words, the video data being streamed in the first layer of thepage 80 gives the appearance of the video-on-demand programme being fastrewound, fast-forwarded, played, paused or stopped. It will beappreciated that, although the user has the feeling that the functionsare being carried out locally, it is in fact the video streaming server2 that is providing a different stream of video data.

The actual overlay images themselves can be transferred from the videostreaming service 2 for storage locally in cache at the optical diskplayer 10. For instance the RAM 20 can be used.

For each function, alternative overlay images can be held in cache. Inparticular, in some embodiments, each function can have an overlay imagehaving a normal appearance and an overlay image having a highlightedappearance such that when a user scrolls through the various overlayimages, the position to which the user has scrolled is indicated by anoverlay image having a highlighted appearance. It is possible also for athird alternative appearance to be stored and then displayed when a useractually selects the function corresponding to that image.

It is also possible for the video streaming service 2 to provide aplurality of different versions of overlay image for each correspondingfunction. Indeed, a plurality of different sets of overlay images can beprovided for different versions of function bar 84. The video streamingservice 2 is then arranged to provide in the second layer a set ofoverlay images 82 appropriate to the content of the video-on-demandprogramme being streamed in the first layer of that page. Thus, incontrast to the example illustrated in FIG. 7, if the video-on-demandprogramme being streamed in the first layer of the page is a footballmatch, then the overlay images could have a football theme, for instancea player running forwards to signify fast forwards and a goalkeepercatching a football to signify stop. In other words, the appearance ofthe overlay images provided in the second layer of a page are matchedcontextually to the content of the video stream in the first layer ofthat page.

In one preferred embodiment, as illustrated in FIG. 7, an overlay image86 may be provided corresponding to a minimising function for reducingthe size of the streamed video-on-demand programme. In particular, uponselecting the function of this overlay image, the first layer can bereplaced by a relatively small window in which the video-on-demandprogramme continues to be streamed, leaving the remainder of the area ofthe display to show other information, for instance informationregarding the video-on-demand programme.

As illustrated in FIG. 8, it is possible to provide other overlay images90. These may be provided in the second layer of the page 80 or, indeed,in other layers of the page 80. It is proposed that each of theseoverlay images 90 relates to respective advertising content available tothe user. Using the user interface 18, a user may select a particularoverlay image 90. Each overlay image 90 has associated with it a link toassociated advertising content. For instance, the link could take theform of a URL address redirecting the browser 34 of the optical diskplayer 10 to a different page showing the associated advertisingcontent. That advertising content could be text, images or streamedvideo in the same manner as discussed above. Advertising content may forexample be related to products or services or other video materialavailable over the video-on-demand service. Alternatively, the linkcould change the content of a layer of the page or bring an additionallayer into view. In one embodiment, the video-on-demand programmecurrently being streamed could be moved to a small window as describedabove with the advertising content being displayed in other parts of thefull display.

Turning now to FIG. 9, there is illustrated a schematic representationof the video streaming service 2.

A connection 100 provides connectivity to the internet and allowsterminals 6, including optical disk players 10, to access the portal andpages of the video streaming service 2.

As illustrated, a controller 102 has access to and control of a videostreamer 104 and a database 106. By means of previously stored data andinformation received from external sources, the controller 102 is ableto provide the pages and layers discussed above. In conjunction withthis, the video streamer can provide streams of video data correspondingto video-on-demand programmes selected by users at terminals 6.

FIG. 9 illustrates schematically the fact that the video streamingservice 2 includes an account memory 110. In particular, it is proposedthat each user identified by the unique identifier 36 discussed above isassigned an account, which is debited according to use of the service.It is proposed that each video-on-demand programme is assigned anotional value, for instance recorded in notional tokens. Whenever auser requests access to a video-on-demand programme, the correspondingnumber of tokens are debited from the account stored for thecorresponding unique identifier in the account memory 110. In oneembodiment, the optical disk 30 bought originally by the user isassigned a particular value in terms of tokens. When the user first usesthe optical disk 30 and the video streaming service 2 authenticates theoptical disk 30 as discussed above, the user is credited that amount tothe corresponding account memory. Various systems can be considered forcrediting the account memory 110 with more tokens, for instance withcredit card transactions over the internet.

As illustrated, the video streaming service 2 is also provided with arecommender 112 comprising a profile memory 114 and separate matcher116.

The profile memory 114 is arranged to store, in conjunction with theunique identifier, a record of the video-on-demand programmes selectedby the user of that unique identifier. In this way, the video streamingservice 2 can look at the history of video-on-demand programmes accessedby a particular user and recommend other video-on-demand programmes thatthe user might enjoy. To do this, the recommender 112 includes a matcher116, which compares the content of video-on-demand programmes recordedin the profile memory 114 for a particular unique identifier withvideo-on-demand programmes available from the video streamer 104. As aresult of this comparison, the recommender 112 is able to provide thecontroller 102 with a list of personalised video-on-demandrecommendations. Returning to FIG. 4, these can be provided asrecommendations 52 on page 40. By storing profiles in the profile memory114 remote from the terminals 6, it is possible for the matcher 116 tocarry out relatively sophisticated comparison of the video-on-demandprogrammes previously watched by a user and those available. Hence,relatively accurate recommendations may be made to a particular user.Where the recommender 112 is able to provide a very large number ofrecommendations, in the preferred embodiment, the controller 102 isarranged to display only the most relevant recommendations.

By making use of the unique identifier, it will be appreciated that anindividual's personal profile can be kept anonymous. The system needonly relate a profile to a unique identifier 36 and it is not necessarythat that unique identifier be related to a particular individual.

The recommender 112 can also be used in conjunction with the overlays 90and advertising content described with reference to FIG. 8.

In the same way as discussed above, the matcher 116 can compare thepersonal profile associated with a particular unique identifier withadvertising content stored either in the database 106 or video streamer104. As a result, the recommender 112 can recommend to the controller102 advertising content appropriate to a user having a particular uniqueidentifier. On the basis of this recommendation, the controller 102 canthus cause to be displayed, in a layer of page 80, overlay images 90with links to advertising content of potential interest to the user. Ofcourse, the controller 102 could also cause to be displayed overlayimages 90 with links to advertising content having contextual relevanceto the particular video-on-demand programme being streamed at that time.Indeed both the contextual recommendation and the personalrecommendation could be taken into account when deciding which overlayimages 90 and links to provide in a layer in association withtransmission of a video-on-demand programme in a first layer.

Considering again the account memory 110, it is proposed that, in oneembodiment, selection by a user of an overlay 90 and the correspondinglink to its advertising content could be arranged to result in a creditof some tokens to the user's account. Alternatively, in a menu list suchas illustrated in FIG. 5, a user could be given the option of receivinga video-on-demand programme with or without advertising content. In thatcase, the user would be able to obtain the video-on-demand programmetogether with advertising content at a lower rate of tokens than withoutthe advertising content.

The invention claimed is:
 1. An electronic device comprising: aninterface configured to receive video-on-demand content via a network; aprocessor configured to decode an internet page via which thevideo-on-demand content is received, the internet page including thefirst layer and a second layer and a link, and configured to send userselections via the interface wherein: an item of selectedvideo-on-demand content is received in the first layer, an overlay imagethat can be selectively combined with the video-on-demand content of thefirst layer, is received in the second layer, the interface is furtherconfigured to receive a link in association with the overlay image, auser selection of the link causing advertising content to output fordisplay, and wherein the overlay image is of contextual relevance to theitem of selected video-on-demand-content.
 2. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein the link is the address of a differentinternet page and the interface receives associated advertising contentin the different internet page.
 3. The electronic device according toclaim 1, wherein selection of the link causes the interface to receivethe advertising content in the second layer.
 4. The electronic deviceaccording to claim 1, wherein selection of the link causes the interfaceto receive the advertising content in a third layer of the internetpage.
 5. The electronic device of claim 1, wherein the advertisingcontent is output for display in portion of a display concurrently withthe item of video-on-demand content.
 6. The electronic device accordingto claim 1, wherein the processor is responsive to selection by the userto output for display only the first layer or the first layer incombination with the second layer.
 7. The electronic device according toclaim 1, wherein the processor is configured to decode the overlayimages in the internet page into a form for storage in memory and tooutput for display the overlay images in combination with thevideo-on-demand content.
 8. The electronic device according to claim 1,wherein the overlay image received in the second layer relates toadvertising content.
 9. The electronic device according to claim 1wherein: the processor is configured to decode one of a plurality offurther items of video-on-demand content which are of contextualrelevance to the item of selected video-on-demand content,representative images corresponding to at least some of the plurality offurther items of video-on-demand content being received as a layer of aninternet page.
 10. The electronic device according to claim 1,comprising an electronic memory which is configured under the control ofthe processor to store a plurality of overlay images received as secondlayers of internet pages.
 11. The electronic device according to claim10, wherein the processor is configured to retrieve an overlay imagefrom the electronic memory.
 12. A method for an electronic device,comprising: receiving, via an interface, video-on-demand content via anetwork; decoding, with a processor, an internet page via which thevideo-on-demand content is received, the internet page including thefirst layer and a second layer and a link; and sending, by theprocessor, user selections via the interface wherein: an item ofselected video-on-demand content is received in the first layer, anoverlay image that can be selectively combined with the video-on-demandcontent of the first layer, is received in the second layer, theinterface is further configured to receive a link in association withthe overlay image, selection of the link causing advertising content tooutput for display, and wherein the overlay image is of contextualrelevance to the item of selected video-on-demand-content.
 13. Themethod according to claim 12, comprising decoding one of a plurality offurther items of video-on-demand content which are of contextualrelevance to the item of selected video-on-demand content and receivingrepresentative images corresponding to at least some of the plurality offurther items of video-on-demand content as a layer of an internet page.14. The method according to claim 12 comprising storing in an electronicmemory which is configured under the control of the processor aplurality of overlay images received as second layers of internet pages.15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium encoded withcomputer-readable instructions thereon that, when executed by aprocessor, cause the processor to perform a method comprising: receivingvideo-on-demand content via an interface and from a network; decoding aninternet page via which the video-on-demand content is received, theinternet page including the first layer and a second layer and a link;and sending user selections via the interface wherein: an item ofselected video-on-demand content is received in the first layer, anoverlay image that can be selectively combined with the video-on-demandcontent of the first layer, is received in the second layer, theinterface is further configured to receive a link in association withthe overlay image, selection of the link causing advertising content tooutput for display, and wherein the overlay image is of contextualrelevance to the item of selected video-on-demand-content.
 16. Servercircuitry comprising: an interface configured to distributevideo-on-demand content via a network; a processor configured to encodean internet page via which the video-on-demand content is to bedistributed, the internet page including the first layer and a secondlayer and a link, and configured to receive user selections via theinterface wherein: an item of selected video-on-demand content isdistributed in the first layer, an overlay image that can be selectivelycombined with the video-on-demand content of the first layer, isidentified in the second layer, the link is provided in association withthe identified overlay image, the link identifying advertising content,and wherein the overlay image is of contextual relevance to the item ofdistributed video-on-demand-content.